How Auctions Work

HELP! I'VE NEVER BEEN TO AN AUCTION BEFORE & DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!

WAYS TO BID

BID IN PERSON (LIVE)

Register in person with the auction office and then be present during the auction with your bidder paddle. The auctioneer will begin "calling" the auction. To make a bid, simply raise your bidder paddle. Be sure you understand the auctioneer and the bid price that you are agreeing to when you raise your bidder paddle.

BID ON-LINE (LIVE)

Register online then log in for the live auction bidding. By clicking on the green "bid" button, you are effectively "raising your bidder paddle" at the live auction.

IN PERSON ABSENTEE BIDS

If you are unable to attend the auction in person and cannot bid online, you can fill out an absentee form that is available from the auction office. You will need to write down your bidder number, the lot number(s) of the item(s) you wish to bid on and your maximum purchase price. Be sure to hand this form into the auction office AT LEAST 15 minutes prior to the start of the auction. Once a live auction has started, the auction office will not accept any more absentee bids. The auctioneer or clerk will then bid on your behalf during the auction until your maximum bid has been reached or until you have won the item.

ONLINE ABSENTEE BIDS

During the auction preview the day prior to the auction, you can log in to the website and leave preview bids. These are basically online absentee bids. You enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for the item and the computer will bid on your behalf during the auction until your maximum has been reached or until you have won the item.

HOW TO REGISTER

REGISTERING IN PERSON

To register in person, you simply have to attend the auction and fill out our bidder registration card to get a bidder paddle, bidder number and catalog. Your bidder number is printed on the cover of the catalog. We do require picture ID and you must provide all the necessary information in order to register to bid. If you attend the auctions live, you must register with the auction office for each and every auction you attend. You will be issued a new bidder paddle, number and catalog for each new auction. Registration can be done any time at the preview or on auction day. Please read the terms of sale carefully. You are responsible for any purchases made with your bidder number. You've just signed a contract!

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Register at www.ableauctions.ca. Click on Get approved to bid on the auction you are interested in. You will need a credit card and a valid email address in order to complete the registration process. You will only need to fill out this form once to be permanently registered for online bidding. It is best to complete this process at least 24 hours prior to the start of the auction to ensure you receive your user name and password in time to participate in the auction. Please read all posted terms and conditions and keep in mind that you must correctly fill in all the required information to be approved for online bidding. The approval process is not instant and all your information must be verified.

AUCTION TERMS & CONDITIONS

When you register, whether online or in person, you must be aware of the auction terms and conditions. Online bidders must read and agree to the terms and conditions when they log-in to preview or bid online. Those who register in person are provided with those terms and conditions on the bidder paddle and registration form. We also have signs up at our auction offices with all the terms and conditions.

PREVIEWING THE ITEMS

PREVIEW IS GENERALLY THE DAY PRIOR TO THE SALE FROM 12 NOON TO 6:00PM.
Preview is the most important part of the auction. Examine the items you want to bid on carefully. Make notes in your catalog. Write down the price you are willing to pay for the items you want. We strongly encourage previewing in person before placing any bids. There is always a preview, generally on the day prior to the auction for you to view the items and test any equipment if possible.
All items are sold "as is, where is" regardless if you have previewed and inspected the item or not. Please remember that the catalog is to be used as a guide only and you are expected to preview the items and make your own assessments. If you see something you want during preview, but you can't make it to the auction, you can bid on-line or leave an absentee bid. (Forms are available in the office.) You will need to know the lot number and the maximum amount you're willing to bid. During the auction, the auctioneer will bid for you, starting at half of your maximum bid, and bidding up to, but not over, the amount of your bid.

BIDDING

This is the fun part! The auctioneer will conduct the auction from a central stage with a large viewing screen to assist bidders along. The auctioneer announces the lot number and describe the items (s)he is currently selling. Then the bidding starts.
This auction process is fast paced. Please read the descriptions and watch as a few items are sold to get a feel for how it works. The auctioneer will suggest a starting price: "Who'll give me one thousand dollars to start?" If nobody wants to start at that price, the auctioneer will lower the amount until someone bids. To bid, simply hold up your catalog with the bidder number showing. The auctioneer & ring hands will recognize your bid. The auctioneer will start asking for higher bids: "I have eight hundred dollars, do I hear nine hundred?" If someone wants to bid $900, she will raise her bidder paddle. The process continues until nobody wants to bid any higher: "I have nine hundred dollars, who'll give me nine-fifty? Going once, twice: SOLD! For nine hundred dollars to bidder number 268." A clerk will write down the winning amount and the buyer number.
Sometimes, there will be several items of similar description & value. For instance, lots 1,2,3 and 4 are all boardroom chair. Before selling the items, the auctioneer will announce, "We are now offering 4 boardroom chairs. Let's give choice on these four chairs". This means that the highest bidder, once the auctioneer says "Sold!" will be given option and choice on the chairs. Perhaps the high bidder only wants one chair and knows that he would like lot 4. He must tell the auctioneer and clerk this before the auctioneer begins selling the next item. Once an item has been sold and clerked, the auction clerk and the auction office cannot make changes to lot assignments. Generally, the auctioneer will only give option and choice to the high bidder and will then "dish out" the remaining items in numerical order to the back up bidder and then to any other bidders who would like the remaining items at the highest bid price.

PAYMENT

When you are done bidding for the day, go to the office and present your bidder number to the cashier. We will print out an itemized invoice of your purchases from the computer. For auctions that are held at our regular locations, you may pay with Visa, MasterCard, Cash, or Interac in person. Wire, PayPal or E-Transfer if you are not able to attend our site to pay. On-site auctions may differ sometimes but complete terms of each auction are always listed in your catalog. Again, please read them carefully!

CHECK OUT

Once you have paid for your items in full, you will be given a paid invoice. Now you may go and pick up your items! You are responsible for the removal of your own goods. This includes bringing any boxes, tools or assistance you need to lift/move. All items must be removed by the deadline stated in the catalog and on your invoice. It is the day of the auction or the next working day.
End of Auction! We hope you've had fun and found some great deals in the process!